February 28, 2024
Te Aka Whai Ora gone by lunchtime
Legislation to abolish the Māori Health Authority Te Aka Whai Ora was passed under urgency this morning after hours of impassioned debate.
Former associate health minister Peeni Henare linked the authority to work his late father Erima Henare and uncle Rob Cooper did to improve Māori health through initiatives like co-commissioning and the development of hauora Māori like Ngati Hine Health Trust.
Te Pāti Kakariki’s Huhana Lyndon says the kaimahi from Te Aka Whai Ora including Ta Mason Durie worked tirelessly to meet the expectations of Māori.
The youngest member of Parliament, 22 year old Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clark from Te Pāti Māori, dubbed the bill the Tōhunga Suppression Act two point 0.
The bill passed 68 votes to 54.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says it was a narrow bill which was canvassed at length on the campaign trail.